| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that youth and young adults commonly experience unemployment at higher rates than the general population. Prolonged youth unemployment can have profound negative impacts on the lifetime earnings and well‑being of individuals, and therefore, the State must take action to provide better work opportunities for Hawaii's youth and young adults. The legislature also finds that the State of Hawaii has set ambitious goals in the areas of economic diversification, environmental management, and energy self-sufficiency. An important element of reaching the set goals is investing in a workforce that is both skilled and experienced in sustainability-related professions. The legislature further finds that the Civilian Conservation Corps was a work relief program created in 1933 to employ Americans during the Great Depression through conservation projects of local, state, and national benefit, providing opportunities for displaced young adults. The State of Hawaii established the Hawaii youth conservation corps, a program that provides young individuals with opportunities in conservation on a smaller scale. This program currently operates within the policies set out under chapter 193, Hawaii Revised Statutes. In Hawaii, and nationwide, the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps continues through local and state service and conservation corps, especially those accredited under the national corps network. The legislature also finds that during the regular session of 2020, the legislature passed Act 9, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, which used funds designated for the State by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to establish a workforce and training program that, among other accomplishments, funded a short-term green jobs program in partnership with the Hawaii-based nonprofit organization Kupu. Under the Kupu Aina Corps, over three hundred fifty displaced workers and recent graduates were matched with work and training opportunities across the State. Kupu's partnership with conservation and agriculture host sites enabled individuals to work in their own communities while also giving back to Hawaii's economy and environment. The legislature additionally finds that in 2021, the legislature passed Act 181, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, designating the department of land and natural resources to administer the State of Hawaii's green job youth corps and providing funding for the administration of this program. In 2022, the legislature amended the requirements for the program and provided additional funding through Act 33, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. In addition to addressing unemployment among youth and young adults, the legislature finds that the green jobs youth corps is an important part of the State's strategy to diversify the economy and reach our environmental and energy self‑sufficiency goals. The program invests in building the human capital of young adults who are interested in working in sustainability-related professions. Lastly, the legislature finds great value in the continuation of the green jobs youth corps, which requires additional funding. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the continuation of the green jobs youth corps. SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the green jobs youth corps; provided that notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of land and natural resources and its partner or partners shall be permitted to obtain and utilize federal or other outside funding for the purpose of matching state funds provided for the green jobs youth corps. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that youth and young adults commonly experience unemployment at higher rates than the general population. Prolonged youth unemployment can have profound negative impacts on the lifetime earnings and well-being of individuals, and therefore, the State must take action to provide better work opportunities for Hawaii's youth and young adults. The legislature also finds that the State of Hawaii has set ambitious goals in the areas of economic diversification, environmental management, and energy self-sufficiency. An important element of reaching the set goals is investing in a workforce that is both skilled and experienced in sustainability-related professions. The legislature further finds that the Civilian Conservation Corps was a work relief program created in 1933 to employ Americans during the Great Depression through conservation projects of local, state, and national benefit, providing opportunities for displaced young adults. The State of Hawaii established the Hawaii youth conservation corps, a program that provides young individuals with opportunities in conservation on a smaller scale. This program currently operates within the policies set out under chapter 193, Hawaii Revised Statutes. In Hawaii, and nationwide, the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps continues through local and state service and conservation corps, especially those accredited under the national corps network. The legislature also finds that during the regular session of 2020, the legislature passed Act 9, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, which used funds designated for the State by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to establish a workforce and training program that, among other accomplishments, funded a short-term green jobs program in partnership with the Hawaii-based nonprofit organization Kupu. Under the Kupu Aina Corps, over three hundred fifty displaced workers and recent graduates were matched with work and training opportunities across the State. Kupu's partnership with conservation and agriculture host sites enabled individuals to work in their own communities while also giving back to Hawaii's economy and environment. The legislature additionally finds that in 2021, the legislature passed Act 181, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, designating the department of land and natural resources to administer the State of Hawaii's green job youth corps and providing funding for the administration of this program. In 2022, the legislature amended the requirements for the program and provided additional funding through Act 33, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. In addition to addressing unemployment among youth and young adults, the legislature finds that the green jobs youth corps is an important part of the State's strategy to diversify the economy and reach our environmental and energy self-sufficiency goals. The program invests in building the human capital of young adults who are interested in working in sustainability-related professions. Lastly, the legislature finds great value in the continuation of the green jobs youth corps, which requires additional funding. The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the continuation of the green jobs youth corps. SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the green jobs youth corps; provided that notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of land and natural resources and its partner or partners shall be permitted to obtain and utilize federal or other outside funding for the purpose of matching state funds provided for the green jobs youth corps. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000. |
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